Nondestructive Analysis of Textures in Rolled Sheets by Ultrasonic Techniques

The preferred grain orientation in polycrystals causes a direction dependence of the ultrasonic wave velocities. In an extensive study, the texture influence on different ultrasonic wave velocities is measured in series of cold-rolled ferritic steel sheets. Based on that, ultrasonic techniques are developed to characterize the texture in terms of the three fourth-order expansion coefficients of the orientation distribution function (ODF). Evaluation equations are given for the application of free ultrasonic longitudinal and shear waves as well as for the application of ultrasonic SH-waves.